A good news story
Today’s title reminds me of one of those stupid Rick Moranis movies… “Honey, I shrunk the family”. Oh well.
As you may or may not know, I work on a television show here in Australia called 9AM on the Ten Network. It screens nationally every weekday morning from 9 – 11 am. I am the resident on-air fitness bloke and I do my best to cover a broad range of subject matter which will be of value and interest to as many people as possible. A few months ago my producer (the lovely Becky Zack) came up with the notion of doing a family fitness make-over, with the idea being that I would work with a family which was in need of a little shaping up. Or perhaps a lot of shaping up. I would spend time with them and create an overall strategy to change their diet, their lifestyle habits, their exercise habits, their thinking, their pantry contents and of course, their bodies. One of my trainers and I (thanks Robbie) would also work with them in the gym, taking them through numerous workouts and I would give them unlimited access to my centre and facilities outside of their set training times.
The Bulte family wins…. me!
Well, it happened. Families were asked to write in to the show and state their case as to why they were the clan most in need of some Craig love, some body renovating and some lifestyle overhauling. We had letters and emails from hundreds of families from all over the country but the decision makers finally settled on the Bulte family from Victoria. And what a great bunch they are; Darryl and Kerry (the folks), Guy (17) Jenelle (15), Monique (14) and Makayla (11). While Guy and Makayla were fit and trim, the other four were in need of a little… modifying.
I’ve done similar things to this concept before and I gotta say, it’s kind of a high-risk exercise from a credibility point of view. Especially on national television. What happens if I give them the education, the motivation, the support and all the resources but they simply don’t do it? What happens if we give the concept a whole heap of publicity and then they throw in the towel after two weeks? What if their attitude sucks? What if they leave the gym after each workout and head straight for the golden arches? Well fortunately for all of us, they didn’t. They have been perfect students and their report cards have been amazing.
Considering surgery
Kerry, Darryl, Jenelle and Monique all needed to lose weight, with Jenelle needing to drop the most. At 109 kilos (240lbs), fifteen year-old Jenelle’s weight was a major health concern. So much so that the week before they entered the competition, she had attended an information evening on gastric bypass surgery. With the support of her concerned parents, she was seriously considering the surgical option, having tried unsuccessfully to lose weight many times before. Well, I’m sure glad she didn’t have that operation and now, so is she.
In the ten weeks that I’ve been working with the Bulte family they have managed to completely turn their lives around. Different diet, different habits different mindset and different bodies.
A peek at their progress so far:
Darryl (bottom right) - minus 20 kgs (44 lbs)
Kerry (bottom left) - minus 9 kgs (20 lbs)
Jenelle (white shirt) - minus 16 kgs (35 lbs) – no surgery for this girl!
Monique (top right) – minus 11 kgs (24 lbs)
Total weight loss: 56 kgs (123 lbs)
How great is that? Every day I get asked about the secret to the Bulte family’s amazing transformation and when I say that they have simply done what I asked them to do (eat less, move more and be consistent), my response is often met with disappointment. No, it’s not an exciting strategy but it’s an effective one! It’s seems that the enquirer is usually hoping for some miracle, quick-fix secret to come from my lips. Sorry Dude, no magic here. Just some sweat, some hard work and some great attitudes.
Change your psychology to change your physiology
While the physical transformations have been great, what has impressed me the most is their collective mindset. These guys are in the zone. Get your head in shape and your body will follow. Even Jenelle who “just couldn’t lose weight” has it falling off her. Not because all of a sudden she has any more ability, but because her thinking and her attitude have totally changed. As I have said squillions of times, getting in shape and staying that way is more about our head than it is about our body.
The future
We know that ten weeks ain’t a lifetime but our family is well on their way. While I’m very proud of them for what they’ve done in ten weeks, I’m much more interested in what they do over the next ten years. My official commitment with the family finishes in a couple of weeks but I have decided to continue working with young Jenelle indefinitely. I believe she could lose the best part of 45 kgs (100 lbs) and I’m going to help her get there. I’ll keep you updated on their progress.
Well done Bulte family.
Love this article? Sign up for my FREE Email Newsletter today to receive more articles like this, and my FREE Ebook!
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
GO NELLE! nelle rocks and is awesome and im a massive fan and well done so far. Keep it up Nelle!!!! GO NELLE!!! WOOOOO!!!!!!
What a beautiful bunch, they shine. You can’t beat the kind of spirit and connection of a family so committed to accomplishing this great thing.
I LOVE to hear success stories like this. Kudos Craig for using your super powers for the good of mankind :0)
Congratulations Craig
Craig, I am here in Jordan and would like to ask you if you could give a bit of more details of your/this work. I have a friend who weights over 120kg for his 185cm body height. I told him that he can eat anything he likes but 50% less of his normal volume. Then I started to Jogg with him threee times a week. It’s more like running and walking changing every 1 minute. The gym is probably the most difficult for me to communicate. Could you elaborate a bit (kind of a rough program) on how to work in the Gym with obese people?
With Jogging/Walking alone we can manage about 1 kg/week. I think working 5-6 times per week would give the 2 kg the Bulte Fam. have experienced.
Greate Blog gives me much inspiration – thanks Craig.
That’s great, cheers to the Bulte family! It’s heart warming to see people actually accept realities, not take offense, and get serious and committed to change for the better for themselves.
It’s very nice of you to continue to work with Jenelle
You know, when I saw the pictures, my first thought was “Why were these people chosen? They look no different than families that I see everywhere!” And then I realized what that said about the population…
Yes Scott – Nelle does Rock indeed.
Thanks Jan.
Super Powers Hey? Hmmm.
Should I get a cape? Maybe something with a big ‘C’ on it.
Or perhaps a ‘W’.
Think about it. ( )
I did see you guys on 9am (as we have the TV on in the office day in, day out)The results were pretty darn good, and Jenelle in particular, I really felt for. Having grown from an overweight teen into an overweight adult I can’t begin to tell her what a great job she’s done and how she’ll never look back – and moan about those wasted years!
Bulte Family rocks!
Hi :die
1. 30-60 mins a day
2. low – moderate impact
3. lots of variety
4. a mix of cardio stuff (different each day)
5. Walking stairs, hills and soft sand is great for ripping off weight…
Cheers
Yep Kin, they’ve done great…
Yes Kel, we’re an expanding population but these guys have done great…
Hi tri-hard.. Jenelle is doing great. She has a way to go but she’s done brilliantly so far.
Thanks for your encouragement… ( )
Oh gosh! I have fans, thankyou Scott. Thankyou Craig so much for your help and support with our family. My family and I cannot thankyou so much. You have given us our lives back.
Thankyou so much.
G’day Kid (jenelle).
You’re welcome. I’ve done nothing. You did it – that’s the best part.
Enjoy your shrinking body and don’t eat any crap or I’ll hurt you.
A lot. x
Wow, that is so very inspiring! Congrats to them, what an amazing achievement so far … especially in 10 weeks.
All the best
Sus
hi Craig what a very inspiring story.Jenelle is amazing too.
I didn’t get to see them on 9am.
Well done to all the Bulte family – they are awesome.
I look forward to hearing how Jenelle goes with the goal of 45kgs – with your help and her persistence she will rock it in.
Craig – if I can ask a question or 2
what diet did you have them on – the no junk food is obvious but in what ways did you get them to change their eating habits ?
What tips do you have for using an exercise bike …I can’t get to a gym right now with my toddlers.
my sister (Jenelle) is more famous then me
.
but i gotta say you are doing a grate job Jenelle.
Craig thank you so much i wouldn’t of been able to do what i have done with
out your help.
Oh, wow ! How inspiring to see people getting there and to see someone so willing ( & able ) to help them !
Go Jenelle – you’ve done so well! I did not see the TV show, but glad you’ve shared this good news story with us, Craig. I’ll have to share it with a few more…..
Congrats Jenelle to you and all of your family…..
cheers,
Monica
Hi baby-amore…
1. all whole foods – no rubbish – less volume – simple
2. Bike – do 3-4, 10-15 minute sessions per day… if you are medically okay to do so..
( )
Yes Sus – they’ve done great..
But you’re more famous with the ‘ladies’ Guy…
Thanks for dropping by Monica…
Thanks for dropping by Monica…
ha ha yeh true
Great job Craig. You should get a prime time gig and and get more families involved. Turn this countries thinking around. Surely Kerry Stokes or Eddie will be monitoring this blog??
Source
Craig, this is great, another success story to add to your list. It’s also very inspirational to see the family and how they have progressed, well done to all of you.
Hi Source… nice thought.
Cheers ( )
Thanks Steve.
Cheers
Hi Craig and All the Bultes,
WOW!!!! awesome transformation. I too am losing weight..(Weight Watchers) and know how addictive losing can actually be. I have lost alomst 20kg in 21 weeks and know that even as recently as 9 months ago I would have taken loads of convincing. Now I am eager to be weighed to see the figure drop each week. Now, I realise that it is the only way for me to go for my health and for my kids to have a mum.
Jenelle, you are amazing….keep up the awesome work. You are all so lucky to be getting one on one help from this amazing man.
Wishing you all continued success and I also look forward to reading more of jenelle’s success.
Michelle
I was fortunate enough to participate in a “lifestlye makeover” conducted by Craig and his team, David in particular, in Novemeber 05 in conjunction with SEN 1116. Our own version of “biggest loser”.
During the 6 weeks of ‘official’ training I lost 25kg. I went from being sedentary to wanting to run and train each day. Although the stairs at the back of the gym never truely become my friend.
I continued to train at Harpers for a few months following this and lost another 10 kgs. My strength and cardio endurance really increased in this phase. My weight went from 145kg to around 110kg.
In the two years since, I have stabilised at around 105kg. I box every day, and use the treadmill and stationery bike every couple of days.
Ive had my ups and downs, and there are times Ive fallen off the wagon. I have seen myself gain 10kg during a period of non excercise and overseas travel. But i just knuckle down again and put in a week or so of morning and afternoon sessions.
I eat balanced meals, and definetly enjoy treats on Sundays, my day of rest and indulgence.
Great effort Bulte family. Change for life!
Thanks Michelle and congrats on your weight loss… ( )
Hey S – great work by you with your own goals and thanks for dropping by and saying hi
Cheers.
What a fabulous outcome for all involved.
Craig – is there any way of finding out when your segments are on? I would love to watch them.
Thanks Craig for your tips. May I sak another question that is mostly ignored by the reades but mentioned in your post – the Mindset. Which are the arguments you are giving out for people to stay focused and motivated? I mean, having the ‘intention’ and ‘doing it to the end’ is quit a difference. Thanks Craig.
So very true – weight loss is more of a mind game than anything else, I say the same exact thing. Well, it’s what I’ve experienced, too.
Congratulations to you all!! Especially you Guy, you look gorgeous!! That smile is to die for!!
You have achieved amazing results. Keep supporting each other & don’t despair if you stop loosing at this rate. You body has to adjust to the new you, the best you.
Dream, Believe, Achieve!!
Lots of Love & Hugs,
Shelley
thanks for the free advice Craig
and I am interested to know when the Bulte family segments go to air too.
Hi Lightening – yep, I’ll let you know when I’m on next week (via the blog)… ( )
Hi :die – I’ve written at least twenty articles on that topic – take a look through the article library… Cheers
Hi jolynn – yep; take your head there and your body will follow! ( )
Hi Shelley – nice words.. ( )
Great effort by the family and suppose that is the key that the whole family got on board. Well done to them and thanks for showing us Craig. Danny
HEy all. no-one said well-done to me i fell left out, By the way, i’m monique from the family, Jenelle is my older sister and guy is my older brother!!!
Just to let u all know i have now lost 16 kilos and life is looking great,